DSWD, pinagtibay ang suporta sa mas pinalakas na Asean regional cooperation

PINAGTIBAY ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo  ang commitment ng Pilipinas na suportahan ang development policies  ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), tumutugon sa kakailanganing pagbabago para sa  marginalized at vulnerable sectors sa gitna ng coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Sa isang kalatas, sinabi ng DSWD na nakiisa si Tulfo sa ibang  ranking officials mula sa member-states ng  regional block para talakayin ang development policies  na naglalayong palakasin ang regional cooperation noong idaos ang  28th Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council meeting sa Phnom Penh, Cambodia mula Oktubre 12 hanggang 14.

Pinag-usapan sa miting ang ASCC priority areas na nakamit para sa taong 2022 at maging ang “concerns and cross-pillar issues” kabilang na ang polisiya para palakasin ang  “social protection, climate change adaptation, Covid-19 recovery, and reduction of inequalities in the Asean region.”

Inendorso rin nito ang “substantial outcome documents” para sa  adoption at notation ng mga  Asean leaders sa panahon ng nalalapit na Asean summits sa Nobyembre.

Sa naging talumpati ni Tulfo sa  senior officials meeting para sa  ASCC,  muling inulit ng Kalihim ang strong advocacy ng Pilipinas at nanawagan para sa “heightened efforts and investments” para sa paghahatid ng basic health, education, at social welfare services”. Tinukoy ang mga naging karanasan at hamon sa kasagsagan ng pandmiya at post recovery efforts.

“Now more than ever, shock responsive and adaptive social protection interventions will help safeguard the progress we have made in building resilient communities and social protection systems sustainable even with the fast-changing environment and shocks,” wika ni Tulfo.

Nagpahayag din ng pagsuporta si Tulfo para sa  advancement ng social work profession sa Asean region.

“Consistent with the mainstreaming of the Asean Roadmap to Implement the Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work Towards a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community, we reiterate our strong commitment and support for the advancement of the social work profession, building positive perception and greater recognition on the role of Social Work and the wider social service workforce in Social Protection and allied sectors,” ang pahayag ni Tulfo.

“The Philippines is looking  forward to the notation of the regional guidance that will support policymakers, managers, and members of the social service workforce to further strengthen the role of social work in contributing to the enhanced equitable access of the poor and the vulnerable to responsive, effective, and inclusive social welfare programs,” aniya pa rin.

Ang ASCC ay isa sa tatlong pillars ng Asean community na committed na itaas ang kalidad ng buhay ng mga mamamayan ng member-states sa pamamagitan ng cooperative activities na “people-oriented, people-centered, environmental-friendly, at  socially responsible.” (Daris Jose)